Infective endocarditis due to Lactococcus garvieae, an unusual emerging pathogen

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiology

Background:

• Lactococcus garvieae is an emerging zoonotic pathogen, primarily associated with fish.
• It rarely infects humans but is increasingly implicated in severe conditions like infective endocarditis (IE).
• L. garvieae shares characteristics with Streptococcus and Enterococcus, leading to frequent misidentification by conventional methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of native valve infective endocarditis caused by Lactococcus garvieae.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges and clinical presentation of L. garvieae IE.
• To underscore the importance of considering L. garvieae in IE differential diagnoses, even without typical zoonotic exposure.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 61-year-old male patient.
• Clinical diagnosis of native valve infective endocarditis.
• Identification of Lactococcus garvieae as the causative agent.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with native aortic valve IE secondary to L. garvieae.
• This is the second reported Canadian case of L. garvieae IE.
• The infection occurred despite a mechanical valve and had an occult source, lacking typical risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Lactococcus garvieae can cause severe infective endocarditis in humans.
• The case emphasizes the need for advanced diagnostic techniques for accurate identification of L. garvieae.
• Clinicians should consider L. garvieae in IE cases, particularly when traditional risk factors are absent.